There was a time when promise filled my work experience at Amalgamated Consolidated.

A Most Painful Truth

By Richard Mabey Jr.

The corporate name of Amalgamated Consolidated is a fictional name of a real corporation that I worked for, from the late 1980’s till the late 1990’s. I changed the name of the company, well….. because I just don’t want to get sued.

For about one full decade, I worked as a proofreader, then later as a copy writer, at one of these big international corporations. I wrote articles for in-house publications. I also wrote articles for some of the corporation’s publications that were used to enhance public relations for existing and prospective customers. It was a grand and glorious time of my life.

It was around 1991, that my boss Mr. Grindstone, called me in to his office. He explained to me that Amalgamated was going to start a new monthly publication dedicated to the customer base in the African continent. I thought I was dreaming when Mr. G told me that he had recommended my name to be the grand Editor-In-Chief of this monthly publication, which at that point in time was just on the drawing boards. I was deeply honored.

Then Mr. G told me that I would have to take a series of tests, which were required for this particular advancement of my career. I quickly agreed to take the tests. Mr. G warned me that the tests were very difficult and that he expected me to do well on them. Mr. G also explained to me that I would need to study hard for these exams.

Well, about a week or so later, Mr. G told me that I was scheduled for to take this series of tests for my advancement. The testing time period was two full days. There were 12 tests all together. One test was on mathematics. Another one was on business writing. There were also tests on logical thinking, general computer skills, the history of Amalgamated Consolidated, and general product knowledge. There were also practical, stand-up exams on public speaking and person-to-person business interaction skills.

My appointment for these exams was set for about a month and a half, down the road. Well, Mr. G gave me a booklet of sample questions and the overall expectations of the exams. Every single lunch time, I stayed at my desk and studied for these exams. I stayed late practically every single night, and studied at my desk. Then, on weekends, I studied at home. I wanted to do nothing but my best for these exams.

Long story short, I took the 12 exams. I blew them out of the water. I did not get less than 95% on any of the tests. Mr. G told me that, in all of his time in management, he had never seen an employee get such high grades. It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I studied, studied and studied for these exams.

Well, after Mr. G went over my exam results with me, he assured me that it was now just a formality to have Mr. Topgun sign the paperwork for my big advancement. Then Mr. G proceeded to tell me that he would probably know, yay or nay, if I was going to get this big promotion.

Well, about a week later, Mr. G called me into his office. There was a certain look of sadness in his face. It was a kind of “sit down, I’ve got bad news,” look that prevailed on his face. As I sat down in the chair, across from Mr. G’s desk, Mr. G cleared his throat. This is pretty much the way the conversation went.

“Good, Richard, that’s good. You’re a good employee. You always are here early for work. You stay late when I need you to. You give up your lunch break, if need be. No, I don’t want you to feel bad. This is nothing personal,” Mr. G assured me.

“I understand Mr. Grindstone. I really understand,” I replied with as much of an uplifted voice tone that I could find within myself.

And that was that. This is a true story. The dialogue that I presented, is the absolute best that I remember it. I’ve done my absolute best to present this chapter of my life, with true blue honesty.

I am going to make a statement here that I know a lot of people will say is not true. It doesn’t matter, because in my heart of hearts, I know it is true. It is not my purpose to present a political statement. Rather, to just present one chapter, one honest memory of my working career.

Without further ado, here is my bold statement: white men are subjected to prejudice in the corporate world. I know some of you will write me and tell me it is not true. I respect your opinion, I really do. However, I know in my heart of hearts, that I was the victim of prejudice for being a white male and unable to fill in any of the pie slices of the affirmative action pie chart.

No hard feelings here. I’m just presenting a little chapter of my work career.

Arcturas, Few people believe that white men suffer prejudice and discrimination in the work place. To even hint that there could be discrimination against the white male creates a backlash of being accused of being insensitive and lacking understanding to the plight of minorities. Truth is often put aside to perpetuate a certain cause or perspective.